This weekend, we learned that you could discover some really interesting things at a pumpkin farm.
First, goats are happy to eat leaves off the ground if your Mama can’t figure out where to buy the actual goat food.
Second, sand comes in a rainbow of colors and, when poured into a plastic pumpkin, makes for a necklace even boys will wear.
Third, corn mazes with Daddy are really fun to explore.
Fourth, Mama gets distracted really easily…
Okay, so yeah. If you knew a bin of these existed, wouldn’t you stare at them to make sure someone didn’t grab the one you wanted?
BLUE PUMPKINS! I had no idea such a thing even existed. They are the most wonderful shade of greenish-blue that I have ever seen. Well, that I’ve ever seen in a pumpkin.
My entire house is decorated in shades of blue, so I knew one of these had to come home with me. It’s now replaced the little urn of Alabama acorns that once sat atop the books under my coffee table.
Ain’t she a beaut? After doing some research once I got home, I have learned that this pumpkin, as well as some of the other non-Jack ‘O Lantern pumpkins, can actually last well over a year (some claim up to 4 years, but I highly doubt that) with some care.
- When you buy a pumpkin, look for one that has a uniform flesh color and doesn’t have many scratches or blemishes.
- Once you get it home, thoroughly wash and dry the pumpkin. It’s suggested to use a bleach and water solution (1 part bleach for every 10 parts water) to kill any bacteria that may be on the surface.
- You may display your pumpkin outdoors until the first freeze. When it freezes, bring it indoors to keep it warm. You should put it on a piece of wood or cardboard in case you forget about it it does start to rot.
- When the temperatures are hot outside, keep your pumpkin cool in a basement or air-conditioned room.
- If you are carving a pumpkin, spray all of the carved portions with a bleach and water solution so that it will last longer (up to a few weeks, it seems).
Pretty interesting, huh? I think I will try to keep this gorgeous blue pumpkin around until next year, just to see if I can. It’s so beautiful – maybe I can even figure out a way to decorate with it year-round. Wanna dare me?
Have you ever tried to preserve a pumpkin? How did it work out?
{ 29 comments… read them below or add one }
It's fun seeing this side of you, Lindsay!
Looks like a great time. Our Florida pumpkin patches are parking lots full of pumpkins. Really authentic!
Is that a LL monogram necklace you are wearing?!?! Jealous!!
I absolutely love the happy expression on your son's face when the goat took the food….looks like a great day!
I have a friend who had a white pumpkin that she had last almost a year! We both kept looking at it…waiting for something magical to happen. She's never been able to get one to last as long. Neither have I for that matter… Let us know how long your pumpkin lasts!
btw…I am totally jealous of your blue pumpkin! I haven't been able to find one in my area.
betty in nc
I heart your pumpkin! It's perfect and I can't believe how long they could last. I never knew that. It looks like the guys had fun, but it can't compare to your blue pumpkin find!
Kim
I didn't know they grew so many different colors of pumpkins. It is just amazing. Your blue one is just wonderful. Hugs, Marty
Very cool!!! Love that pumpkin! Oh and your little guy is so adorable! I love the expressions you captured on his face while feeding the goat, just priceless.
@Emily – Yes, it is a LL necklace! Happy Birthday to ME!!
And we totally had to drive 1.5 hours for a real pumpkin farm. Otherwise, ours are all in church parking lots, too.
This won't help your pursuit to save your pumpkin but. . . I've recently learned blue pumpkins make some of the best pies!
Good for you, Lindsay! I bought myself one of her necklaces for my birthday with your 15% off discount and got the email that it shipped yesterday! So excited.
Those pumpkins are beautiful! I wonder if they have any where I live? Hmmm.
Wow. Who knew a pumpkin could last so long? Definitely not me, but good to know. I have never seen that variety of pumpkin either and I love the color. I am gonna be on the hunt for my own now!
It's adorable. Just saw your tweet and came over here to see. Love it. I want one!
Seeing a Queensland Blue again reminded me of my childhood in Sydney, where Australian ladies inflicted a 'baked dinner' on themselves each Sunday, even in century heat!
The rind is very hard so you should be able to keep it a while. Do eat one too, they have wonderful flavour.
I Have lived in the US (San Rafael, CA) for nine years now and still don't understand pumpkin patches. Was Snoopy serious?
Tricia Rose
http://www.cabinonthewater.blogspot.com
http://coastal-cushions.com
I love your distracted picture.
Your little guy is so cute feeding those goats…they will eat just about anything!
Had no idea they "make" blue pumpkins nowadays.
I love the one you chose, and I would love to see how you'd incorporate that into Christmas!
Ok that is pretty. I totally think you can get away with it year round. I think you should try to keep it for 4 years. Shoot for the stars!
I still had some big Cinderella pumpkins in June. I finally got so tired of moving them around that I baked them and we had pumpkin pie and soup!
I hope that I can find a blue one, now that will be worth keeping around!
OHH How fancy! A blue pumpkin! If they came in dark red I would fall over dead!
Hello sweet Lindsay – what a fun post! Love all the great photos of your special day at the farm. My hubby and I went to our local pumpkin farm this morning and low and behold I found a bunch of those bluish pumpkins too! In fact, they were cheaper than the traditional orange ones. I loved it and had to have it. He's huge and sitting on a chair in our living room until I find a better spot for him. Thank you for doing the research on them. I had never seen such a color either until today! So cool. Maybe you and I can have a contest to see who's last longer!
Blessings,
Marie
http://emmacallsmemama.com
I come from Queensland and we love our blue pumpkins! Although for eating mostly. Not many people would decorate with them unfortunately. You made me homesick as I am a loooong way from home right now.
Looks like a fun time. I love those pumpkins, and the tips to keep them fresh are great!
I live in Austin and have no idea where a pumpkin patch is!! Please share your knowledge with me!!
Also I'm heading to the City Wide Garage Sale this Saturday so maybe I'll see you there and introduce myself!!
Thank you for this post!!! I, too, discovered blue pumpkins this year and fell head over heels. There are peach colored ones, too – have you seen them? Gorgeous!!!! I had to have one of each so my front bench looks like a mini-pumpkin patch. The colors, though, are just so beautiful. I'm going to have to go back & see if I can find one without many blemishes so I can see how long I can keep it. I actually like the bumps and scrapes on my pumpkin – makes them look loved to me, I guess.
Hi Lindsay! I am from Queensland and grew up in the country. For a long time I didn't know that pumpkins came in any colour but blue, because that's what they grew in my area! I think I was about 10 before I saw an orange one!! Your Fall season decorating in the States is just lovely – I have been really interested in seeing all the different kinds of pumpkins available. The white ones are my favourite. (Can't believe what a learning tool the internet is!)I will have to wait and see if they become available for our next Autumn. Thanks for the great blog – always interseting and inspiring. Cheers!
i bought a white pumpkin in michigan quite a few years ago. i know that someone might think i am stretching it but it lasted almost 4 years. i kept it in the house which is in florida and part of the year the house was air conditioned but it wasn't any cooler than 80*. people would come in and ask it was ceramic. then after a year or two they would walk in and say "that isn't that same pumpkin is it?" then one day …… it died! what a mess!
Those pumpkins caught my eye, too. As soon as I saw them I knew they were my favorites.
Ruth
What a pretty photo of you!
I have NEVER in my life heard of a blue pumping. Don't know if they sell 'em in our neck of the woods. Pretty darn sa-weet though!
Where does one get said blue pumpkins! I've never seen them in good old FLA. Hope you had a fab bday!
Wow – it's so awesome to see Australian Queensland Blue Pumpkins being grown and sold overseas – we've known about them for years! In our Queensland mild winters, they can last for about two years here – and they are souch gorgeous colours.
I love your blog – so creative, and so many 'real' ideas that are useful!
I'm just amazed that people in the States are shocked to learn of blue pumpkins! Obviously I am just naïve because I'm an Aussie, but it was only once I moved to Finland that I realised there are places in the world where you can't grab ANY kind of pumpkin from the local supermarket. A Sunday roast just isn't right when it's cooked in Helsinki!
Loving this site, keep up the great work!